Glenn426

Just watched said Lexington run. The opener is solid. A+ Transition into second section with voiceovers changes the feel (voiceovers feel Out of character?) Karuna mentioned it but it almost feels they can do without them. Ballad is tasteful, artistic. Ballad hit is anti-climactic (which is an effect)... I wish that chord with Tuba Split can go one for about another 10 seconds. Why music arrangers don't split the Tubas into thirds more often is beyond me. The Closer is where they are moving the most and even in this Lexington recording, the brassline feels gased in the last couple of sets... This will be a great section with time because it is old school Madison run and gun (who doesn't like that) but it is a risk they are taking coming out in the first show with a section of the show that has some performance issues. It could payoff towards the end of the season but they are leaving the door open to give the judges something to talk about right as they about to put down a score during the first half of the season.

So are they going to announce the show and uniforms as they arrive to Ford Field? What did they do last year?

I cant believe I'm the first one to mention this show but Star of Indiana 1993 Ahead of its time and still holds up today. SCV 1998 - I grew up on VHS Recordings from 97 and 98 just watched those years so much.

Do any of you crownies know why the Front didnt play for large sections of the closer at the preview show? Where they not finished with the whole book or was that a design decision to have the Brass only section for about 16 bars at a time? Seems like an odd texture decision to make if it was intentional?

Doesn't take much to hear consistent Release errors, blend issues, Feet in the Horns while on the move. Not things you'd associate with a Crown hornline. Hell like incognito said they are taking 'Risks this year by making them move and march. Something that as a fan of DCI (without-bias) you'd know is not necessary to create effect (BD) And yes Gaines cant do everything, but everything that gets on the field is going through a Michael Gaines filter and that filter sure did make a difference with the same exact staff from one year to the next.

When it's Michael Gaines, yes it can. He troubleshoots design-flaws in design meetings. Ideas are brought to the table and he can pick it apart from a judges point of view to the point that only ideas that are properly fleshed out make it to the field. HE has designed at the top of the DCI, WGI activity for decades. And would probably know all of the judges on a personal level, He would know what is "On the Horizon" And in this activity that is the single most important thing you can have. Without Michael Gaines SCV does not medal the last two years and they certainly don't win last year. And I saw Crown's show and we have a difference in opinion, not the way the hornline is performing at this moment. And what is Crown without its hornline?💣

The designers on Boston's team have all enjoyed Championship success in other corps. The Potter/May/Townsend Crew from Pride, Crown. And Gino and Colin from Cadets. SCV's Recent success can be attributed to the Arrival of Michael Gaines on their design team. And in the course of two years went from perennial top 6 to winning. All because of one change. A Designer who knows what it takes to win. Boston has that now, So while the corps itself is trotting into uncharted waters, The design team is right at home at the top of the activity. SCV 2016 - 4th SCV 2017 - 2nd SCV 2018 - 1st I know that many that argue against BAC's Success, and their unlikely-ness for it to continue into the top of the activity, point to the hardships that Crown and Bluecoats took to build up their own design teams to learn to win, Kinda like Earning your stripes. But Boston's design team has already earned their stripes. They know what a GE Visual judge(for example) will reward for content and achievement, they can troubleshoot ideas in their initial design meetings to get the best first draft possible on the field in ST. And we all know that any given year with the way that the talent is at the top of the activity, The best show is what gets rewarded. And my point is that having seen Boston's show, they got a show this year. It might not happen every year, but this year, they have a show. Just like Crown struck gold with E=MC2 and Bluecoats struck Gold with Down Side up. It takes a special effort from a design team to move you into new ground as a corps. And they have done it. They are going to be asking legitimate questions from the judges this year. And it will start on Thursday.

Literally every corps has gone through periods of no further improvement with the same design team.. It happens.

The silver part that they teased on the video, Is that on the leg? Left leg, right leg? Very elegant modern take on the Cadet uniform. New Design team already making their elevated design aesthetic shown.

DCI Tour Premiere Corps Score 1 Bluecoats 70.5 2 Boston Crusaders 70.3 3 Carolina Crown 69.5 4 The Cadets 68.1 5 Blue Stars 64.5 6 Phantom Regiment 63.5.0 Having just Watched Crown's run from their preview show and Boston's from last night's run. Boston is clearly better and more filled in right now, They are marching better, the guard is better, and Dare I say Boston's hornline is cleaner right now. Crown during that run had release issues, clarity issues in sections, feet in the horns, Not what I am used to from a Crown Hornline; The music in the closer, it is just feels like it doesn't have a clear direction. The Audio Visual relationship that dominates the GE caption is lacking from Crown. The one chord in the Ballad is absolutely Gorgeous, (ala Phantom's Ave Maria) The percussion is featured and have adapted elements of Mike Jackson's (Broken City) writing. But as a whole If I were a Judge on Thursday Boston would get the nod. And I'm leaving Bluecoats up there because their track record speaks that they will have a cool show and will be given the benefit of the doubt amongst the corps. But if they don't come out swinging and are experimenting in some areas I would not put it past Boston to win this first show out.

Cadets have slipped as far as they are going to go... Two Words. Denise. Bonfiglio. She been responsible for SCV Guard recent success both on the field and in WGI and has now returned to her roots at Cadets. You also have the Aungst's Darcie in particular is responsible for the wildly innovative designs for Dartmouth PSW every year and I suspect Cadets will enjoy some of her design influence this year and for many years to come. IF the hornline and book are up to snuff I have no reason to think that Denise, Darcie, Tom and others wont be able to get the Cadets back among the top in the activity once they establish themselves in this Corps.

I saw a video of the second chunk about two weeks ago. They had their props on the field. Corps sounded great with heavy percussion focus for that section. Haven't seen anything else since then..

Being an avid Twitch user and seeing how content creators monetize their streams, Patreon is absolutely a tool that all Non-profits should use to monetize their activity. I hope that Corps get to the point that they offer their Patreon's a live stream of all of their own shows throughout the season. So that ardent followers and fans can support their corps and watch every single run throughout the season. Hoping there is no established rules against it with Flomarching and it is a big FU to their awful service.

This is a very important statement. It was clear to me and confirmed with some of the staff, that they where holding back design-wise on the corps the last two years. It was great and solid shows but in comparing the show to what we know the Potter/May/Townsend group can create, GE-wise the show was Vanilla. Same with the Hornline, This was not Peak Gino hornline. It was good, but not Cadets 2011 good. Colin it feels like got his guys from the beginning and has been letting it rip, same with the guard work, hence their Zingali last year. Watching this year's show last night, it is obvious that they were holding back what they are capable of until they had the corps to support it. This corps can support it and I feel like they will increase the demand as the season goes. And watching the ending it begs for a new ending around ATL time to get a nice bump going into the last two weeks of the season.

Now that I Think about it, It has been widely reported the Health benefits of Cannibus to help with relaxation, Chronic pain, stress, anxiety..., It is a open Secret that a certain West Coast corps and cannibus are one in the same..(Everyone will openly deny this, because of course, but If you had friends in the corps, you know) Have they been enjoying a medicinal advantage over other corps. With the stigmas associated with Cannibus going away with open and honest research being done, the use of CBD oils/ supplements as alternatives to Ibuprofen and other pain relievers yield positive results for corps?

Now placements are a complex thing in that a corps can themselves get better from year to year but there are other corps around them that they themselves have a better show, or have better talent etc.., But in just comparing this years BAC to their own show last year.. It is a significant jump in what is being asked from the hornline in all aspects of their show. And they are also achieving are at significantly higher level as well. The guard because of the better show seemingly have even more exposure and they are sure as hell going to get credit for it. You combine those things along with a stronger show with more meat on the bones, with more chances to perform, and this Corps has made significant enough improvements to warrant a jump into the Elite level in this activity. Now this doesn't automatically means that they jump into top 3, because Bluecoats, Crown, and SCV may have maintained or elevated their own content and achievement to stay ahead, but what it absolutely means is that in comparing the top corps in this activity, BAC now has the vehicle to go toe-to-toe with the best of them and say My Apples taste just as good as their Oranges. Mister GE MUSIC Judge Which do you prefer? My Apples or their oranges?

Welp, This show is Such a kick to the nuts, Its insane!!! Just unrelenting power and energy from the corps. And Honestly as strong and as powerful as the Soundtrack is, The guard is visually there accenting every single moment connecting the Audio to the Visual in a very powerful way. The guard is more exposed, with a seemingly harder book that is being done fairly well for this time of year and they are without a doubt setting the standard for the activity yet again.. The Shot- Rocky section is just so much energy, Drumline staged right up front giving you a very mission viejo hip-hop feature vibe. Immediately followed by a nice Tuba feature, then the Herald Trumpets and Bones.. What I would give to be one of those Trombones during the FFFF Glissando hit, Strong staging of all the elements throughout. Hornline visuals are filled in throughout and looking very clean and readable. Ballad has 20-10 yard line field coverage and the ballad hit has a Crossman-esque diamond block flag hit which is very well performed.. Closer has some Inspired Drill moments and just still full energy here, Drill demand is high and still being performed well by the hornline. The demand is there, The hornline is playing the hell out of this show, The Guard just begs to be watched the whole show and they just keep delivering moment after moment. The drumline has some wicked demand and they are in your face... They are bringing it.... Cant wait to see them in August..

I'm sure some who have connections or first hand experience with the BOD and higher ups can attest for the Financial reasons why the corps was saved but from a standpoint of what was happening on the field. Suncoast Sound. Various members who marched in the Suncoast Sound and friends (H-Dub, Kevin Ford, Bob Barfield, Johnny Zollo, Tom Santino, John Campese, Rich viano etc..,) who at the time had affiliations with Tarpon Springs took over the production design and along with having camps in South Florida infused the Corps with new talent. That new talent got a taste for Drum Corps and made Boston a contender. Now this purely my take on it being from South Florida, and being part of said talent. But I think even the most diehard Boston (Super-vet) would attribute some of the new success in 99 and the early 2000 to having camps in South Florida and having the ability to field a full-size corps along with a new design team that brought some new fresh ideas to the table..

This... Especially considering that by the end of the summer everyone is going to be somewhere between Burnt and roasted.. this Vanilla colored Armband is going to stick out.. They should probably color it pink or purple to avoid the Band-aid problem... Or as you suggested axe it altogether...

Yeah nothing against it, I prefer writing like that as well. But just because it isnt staged like that doesnt mean it not as good. Apples and Oranges.. So many ways to create effect.. No reason for Jeff to follow when he's a leader in what he does.

I wont stand for Jeff Slander.... Literally the nicest guy in the activity... His work at Paramount has been an absolute treat and while he's not a staging guy ala Chandler/ Gaines his Geometric and Mathematical Prowess is unmatched... (2011 Demons - Masterpiece) IF the content is there ( Guard Work, Corps Proper Visual Cleanliness) his Drill will not hold them out of Medaling.. I in fact find that alot of times his drill reads so well that people spend more time looking at the content because the questions are not there in terms of drill. He just doesn't prefer to stuff them together like Cavies does sticking the Rifle line inside of Horn forms.. (2-4 step spacing)

I feel like the last Roaster on a Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner.. What can I say about Crown's uniform that hasn't already been said about.....

I wonder if it was a direct design decision from the drum staff to move the Pit back from the Front sideline so that the Judge doesn't comment and harp on the Front the entire show... IF so I'd say that is a smart move to get an advantage over those that leave their front on the Sideline. Those in the know, Is it clear where the Percussion judge can roam? Have they been relegated to Side 1(For example)?

SCV 2000 - Adagio Forever Crown 2008 - That 1812..

Man I love this about Boston people when it comes to BAC, but man do I hate this when it comes to the other sports... Being born and raised in Miami, and a Dolphins fan Tom Brady is the bane of my sports existence. But the Big three kept the C's to only one championship during the Garnett, Pierce, Rondo era so it evens out a little bit..